PLUS: BROADCASTING; Cablevision Gives Maybe to Network

Cablevision Systems is likely to carry the YES Network, the Yankees' new cable home, as a premium channel to its three million metropolitan area cable subscribers because of the price YES is charging, an industry executive said yesterday.

YES is believed to be seeking monthly fees from cable systems of $1.70 to $1.80 a subscriber.

Leo Hindery, the chairman of YES, declined to comment.

If Cablevision's position holds and negotiations fail to produce a deal before YES starts up on March 19, it will be a blow to the network's goal to be carried on the basic tier of cable systems. A premium channel costing $10 a month would narrow subscriptions.

Cablevision could start YES as a premium channel, then negotiate favorable terms after the baseball season starts and change it to basic.

Cablevision carries the MSG Network, the Yankees' former home, on basic cable in some systems and as a premium option in others.